Match details
3.00 pm, Sunday, 13 March 2011
Toyota Park
Meet the players
NSW Cup ladder [end of last round]
Jets make a promising start to the 2011 season
The Newtown Jets made one of their best starts to the NSW Cup competition in several years when they defeated a well-credentialled Cronulla Sharks team 26-18 at Toyota Stadium last Sunday.
The Jets burst from the blocks with an early try to fullback, Rhys Pritchard, and they added two more tries to go in at half-time with a 16-6 lead.
Newtown had to withstand a strong fight-back by the Sharks late in the second half when the Jets held a precarious 22-18 lead with ten minutes left to play.
The match was played in hot and humid conditions that seemed likely to impact upon both teams' stamina as the game progressed. The Jets had introduced two new players into their starting line-up, halfback, Mark Kheirallah, and front-rower, Daniel Conn, while the Sharks fielded a formidable-looking team list, boosted by several players with considerable first grade experience from both the Cronulla-Sutherland and Melbourne Storm NRL squads.
This opening round fixture was the first time that this Sharks-Storm coalition squad had played together and no doubt the team's cohesion and teamwork will increase in upcoming competition rounds.
Team performances
The Jets certainly seem to have more speed at their disposal this season and great coaches of the past and present have all agreed that speed is one factor that is very difficult to combat in Rugby League.
Halfback, Mark Kheirallah, made an impressive debut with the Jets, being involved in three of Newtown's tries, showing admirable initiative to score one himself, as well as tormenting the Cronulla defence with a series of well-executed chip-kick and recover efforts.
Centre, Francis Vaiotu, scored two tries and showcased the explosive running style that made him stand out in the recent trial games.
Other Newtown players to impress last Sunday were front-rower and captain, Khalid Deeb, who worked hard in the oppressive heat and led his forwards in a strong defensive display.
Daniel Conn and last year's best and fairest award winner, Tinirau Arona, made ground with their determined running and both hookers, Kurt Kara and Byron Fruean, worried the Sharks' midfield defence with their bursts from dummy-half.
Coach, Greg Matterson, has some good material to work with and he was no doubt pleased with this first-up win in what was certainly a danger game. He would also be aware of his team's lapses that let the Sharks back into the contest late in the second half.
Match summary
Newtown 26 [Francis Vaiotu 2, Rhys Pritchard, Sione Taka, Mark Kheirallah tries; mark Kheirallah 3 goals]
Sharks 18 [3 tries; 3 goals]
Half-time: Jets led 16-6.
Officials: Referee, Jon Stone; Touch judges, David Ryan, Matthew Hawkins.
Relive the action blow-by-blow through the NSWRL gamecast. Just scroll down to the Jets V Cronulla game [last on page].
View the photographers galleries of the game: Gary Sutherland & Mike Biboudis
Next game
The Newtown Jets travel away next weekend for what is always one of their toughest NSW Cup assignments - taking on their long-time rivals the Western Suburbs Magpies at Campbelltown Stadium next Saturday, 19 March, at 3.00pm.
|